College is about freedom, so it’s only natural you’d want that freedom to be mobile too. You just started driving a few years ago. Who wants to give that up and be stranded in a town as small as Athens Ohio? (Those 23 bars are all in the same half mile because the town is just that small.) Should you take your car to college? Let’s look at the advantages and disadvantages.
Grocery, Errands, Convenience
For starters, having a car is obviously very convenient. You’re living on your own in Athens rental housing and this town. And Uber isn’t really a thing there yet. So a car comes in pretty handy for going to the grocery store, especially if you are the only one in your Athens apartment who has one. You can take your roommates to the store anytime.
If your house doesn’t have a washer and dryer, a car is pretty much essential for the laundromat. Who wants to carry 4 plus bags of laundry down the street? It’s a no brainer.
Parking
The biggest catch to having your own car at college is the parking. Athens is notorious for parking tickets. The city’s economy pretty much depends on it. They’ve got a 24-hour parking rule, which means you need to move your car every 24 hours to a nonadjacent space. And don’t think you can just wipe off the chalk. They’ll nail you. The meter Nazis earn their reputation by the ticket. They can be vicious.
So if you do bring your car, make sure your Athens Ohio housing has a reliable parking spot, one you won’t have to share with your roommates. And if it’s an issue, consider renting a space at a private lot. The tickets just aren’t worth it.
Why Fight Your Roommates for Parking?
Sure, most rentals in Athens Ohio will come with a parking space — but only one, if you’re lucky. Chances are your roommates will probably have cars too. Why fight each other over one measly parking space? Eventually, you’ll be forced to park in the street. You’ll forget to move your car and wind up with a ticket. Rent your own off campus parking space instead and always have a space — even during busy weekends like Halloween and graduation!
Road Trips
This is probably the coolest reason to have a car. Athens is a small town. It has its charm, but the luster wears thin from time to time. Being able to get out of town for a road trip will save your sanity. Head out for concerts, shopping, hiking, whatever. Just hit the road and get as far away from your Ohio University apartment as possible.